External Controls: Policing Entries, Enforcing Exits

In this chapter, we provide an empirical critique of the conceptual frame of debates on convergence and divergence among EU states regarding migration policies. The key assumption underlying such debates is that EU states are essentially independent units, with their own admission and control challenges. We suggest, on the contrary, that migration control policies in Western European states should be considered as an interdependent, yet politically segmented, system. We test this view by analysing two migration policy fields widely different in terms of history and development, i.e., visa and return policy. With regard to visa policies, the systematic configuration emerges clearly. We show that, over time, the original Northern model of visa controls has become the widely accepted normative model across all European states today, formalised in the New Common Visa Code. Existing differences between North and South Europe have to be read in light of this generally homogenous background. On the contrary, policy harmonization and cooperation in return policies and practices have always remained low. We do not observe, however, evidence of a North-South cleavage. Interestingly, a process that we could define as “converge” is at play, since all EU states have shown to be largely ineffective in removing unauthorised TCNs from their territories.